Why are business texting and customer messaging the hottest new ways to communicate with consumers and clients? Here’s the scoop:
Everywhere you go, you’re guaranteed to see someone on their phone. In the US, people send over 6 billion text messages every day. What might surprise you more is that 56% of Americans say they would text a business more often if they had the chance.
As customer experience becomes more personalized and real-time than ever before, SMS and messaging have widely gained acceptance as a means of communicating with customers.
The birth of business texting
Founded originally as a consumer service, Zipwhip pioneered business texting in 2014 when it became the first company to text-enable existing landline phone numbers. Suddenly, consumers could send a text message to the existing phone number of their favorite business rather than relying on calls or email.
Zipwhip built its business texting SaaS service on the idea that customers needed to tailor and integrate texting into their existing systems of record: CRMs.
With that in mind, Zipwhip created an easier plug and play experience in its integration network and API developer portal. For businesses, this means that they can use any computer or mobile device to securely and reliably reach their customers, every time.
Sacramento Kings first with rich communications services
Home to the world’s most high-tech arena, The Sacramento Kings don’t shy away from new technologies and emerging trends. So, when the time came to adapt to changing preferences in customer communication, the franchise teamed up with Zipwhip in 2018 to become the first professional sports team to offer Rich Communication Services (RCS).
An evolution of SMS and MMS, RCS marks the progression of text-based communication by bringing an enhanced messaging experience. To that end, RCS provides more immersive interactions and highlights the best features of today’s smartphones.
The Sacramento Kings became the first professional sports team to offer RCS, and one of the first companies in the US to RCS-enable their existing toll-free phone number. That means the Kings now deliver rich forms and questionnaires, receipts, mobile tickets, customized directions and in-stadium giveaways directly to fan’s native text inboxes.
How RCS whips SMS & MMS
Unlike most texting for business providers, which rely solely on chatbots and AI, Zipwhip’s RCS solution is driven primarily by human-to-human interaction. For sports fans or other customers, that means more meaningful and engaging interactions. And with RCS, companies can still easily provide location sharing, typing indicators, read receipts and payments.
In particular, Zipwhip offers unique RCS features that include efficient message templates, scheduled texts, group texting, contact details, unlimited contact import for streamlined information management, a “Mark as Unread” function, and conversation filters. And for more engaging communications, Zipwhip also packs in language personalization tools, picture messaging, and an emoji keyboard.
New desktop app and browser extension features
As if that isn’t enough, Zipwhip in 2019 also released major updates to its browser extension for Chrome, Firefox and Edge Chromium. The extension puts Zipwhip’s business texting app right within your customer relationship management (CRM) system or other web app. And, it delivers fast access to your saved Zipwhip contacts with auto-fill. With the extension, you can send group messages to up to 50 BCC’d contacts at a time.
Zipping to the top
Today, over 12,000 direct customers and more than 35,000 businesses trust Zipwhip for texting. Zipwhip’s customers span the spectrum, from small shops to Fortune 500 corporations that include more than 2,000 insurance agencies, nearly 150 professional sports teams, along with nearly 1,000 staffing agencies and 125 major franchise brands.
Also, Zipwhip is the only business texting provider connected to all of the Tier 1 and Tier 2 wireless operators in the US, allowing businesses to receive up to 1,000 messages per second from customers on their existing landline, VoIP or toll-free phone number.
The company says it has increased its software customer base by 40 percent year-over-year, resulting in 3.3 million text-enabled business phone numbers.
Zipwhip is a 2018 and 2019 Mobile Star Awards Winner. You can follow or connect with Zipwhip below:
“Best of 2019” Mobile Star Awards Winner:
Innovative Mobile Customer Service — Zipwhip
Mobile Business Innovator — Zipwhip
Connect & Follow:
Zipwhip
1501 1st Avenue South, Suite 500
Seattle, WA 98134
(+1) 855-947-9447
Email: Zipwhip.com/contact-us
Website: Zipwhip.com
Company News: Zipwhip.com/press
Facebook: /Zipwhip
LinkedIn: /Zipwhip
Twitter: @Zipwhip
YouTube: /ZipwhipInc
Structure: Private company, est. in 2007
Employee Count: Approx. 200
OS Supported: All web browsers
